Advocates are criticizing state officials for calling the package the “largest property tax cut in Texas history” when it’s actually the second-largest.
State
Abbott Announces a Second Special Session, With Extra Agenda Items
The second special session is slated to begin on Saturday, August 7.
Reports: US Border Patrol Only ‘Processing’ Illegal Immigration, Not Stopping It
Still no action by state or federal officials to stop illegal border crossings.
Transparency Takes Center Stage at Texas Elections Conference
Officials say transparent processes promote public confidence in elections.
GOP Lawmaker Files Bill to Prevent Lawmakers From Abandoning Their Responsibilities
The bill would set a limit to the amount of unexcused absences a lawmaker can have before their seat is declared vacant.
MOST RECENT
Teacher Retirement System Has Yet to Offload Luxury Office Lease
TRS says they are continuing to “aggressively market” the space, while the tower is expected to be completed in the spring.
Legislative Preview: Fighting Medical Tyranny in Texas
Texans for Vaccine Choice says the way forward against the Chinese coronavirus is medical freedom and self-governance, not mandates.
Legislative Preview: Promote Citizens, Limit Local Government
The Texas Legislature must address the issue of local officials trying to control citizens.
Days After Railing Against Shutdowns, Abbott Closes More Businesses
Galveston County Judge Mark Henry blasted the action, saying the move was a “bad policy decision” based on “flawed data.”
Gov. Abbott Planning State Takeover of Austin Police
“The state will fix this.”
Texas Capitol Set to Reopen, No Details on Protocol
Lawmakers have reportedly considered temperature checks, COVID testing, and limiting capacity in the galleries and committee rooms.
Will Dade Phelan Allow Democrats to Chair Key Committees?
Four Republican lawmakers implore Phelan: “Inform Republican members on your intentions regarding giving Democrats power over our Republican priorities prior to your election to the position of speaker.”
Abbott: Vaccines are ‘Voluntary, Never Required’
At a press conference in Austin, the governor said there would be “no more shutdowns” and that the Capitol will be reopened.
Conversation with Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar
In an interview, Comptroller Glenn Hegar contends the state’s...
Ellis: Texas Data
Despite predictions of a “blue wave” hitting Texas and putting the state in play for Joe Biden, Republicans once again swept the competitive races.
ARCHIVE
Sullivan tells lawmakers: It’s okay to bust the cap for tax relief
Texas Senators today voted to bust the current spending cap so as to provide more property tax relief with the surplus than they might have otherwise. Before their vote, Michael Quinn Sullivan sent the following letter.
Taxpayers Deserve to be Paid Back
Corpus Christi's KRIS television reported this week that the Nueces County Hospital District is asking t
he Legislature to pass a bill that will allow them to recover money on behalf of taxpayers when those who receive "indigent" care later receive an insurance settlement windfall for that same care. The District estimates that it loses about a half million dollars every year as a result of this phenomenon.
Governor promotes taxpayer protection
AUSTIN, Texas – In his State of the State Address, Texas Governor Rick Perry today proposed a strong new constitutional protection for the state’s taxpayers. The measure would limit the growth in state spending to a rolling, three-year average of inflation and population growth.
The president of Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, Michael Quinn Sullivan, praised the proposal.
“Gov. Perry is putting the needs of working Texas taxpayers ahead of bureaucracy. By restricting the growth in government to maintaining the costs of current services, the legislature will be forced to live within the taxpayers’ means,†said Sullivan.
Extreme Property Taxes Cause Texas to Lead Nation in Home Foreclosures – Breaking the Backs and Dreams of Ordinary Texans
In case anyone t
hought the revolt against skyrocketing property taxes is just coming from mostly white middle class suburbs, the Brownsville Herald carries a powerful staff editorial today denouncing the recent seizure of 250 local homes and businesses because owners could not afford to pay their property taxes. The article notes that, in addition to the city and county, taxpayers are on the hook for two school districts and a navigation district, among other taxing authorities.
Hang Up on the Texas Telephone Tax
Not including t
he new margin tax surcharge from Sprint, Texans already paid 18 percent of their telephone bill in government taxes and fees. That's outrageous. Why shouldn't the same sales tax apply to telephone bills as to every other purchase?
Sprinting To A New Tax
My Sprint cellphone bill arrived today, featuring a brand new fee: The Texas Margin Fee Reimbursement. This is Sprint's attempt to make visible the new business tax implemented by the Texas Legislature last sprint. Some in the legislature are crying foul, but Sprint has the nerve to do what lawmakers usually don't — admit that business taxes are borne by people, not business. Most other businesses won't put the burden of the tax on the bill — but you and I are still paying for it.
Governor’s budget proposals will promote accountability, transparency
AUSTIN, Texas – Gov. Rick Perry today proposed four key budget reforms designed to promote fiscal responsibility.
Michael Quinn Sullivan, president of Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, praised the proposals, saying they shine more sunlight on the state’s finances.
“These proposals set the tone for good budget policy and sound government. They promote higher levels of accountability and transparency,†said Sullivan. “Texas’ hard-working families deserve honest bookkeeping from the state legislature. Since we foot the bill, taxpayers should be allowed to review all the expenses to know our money is being spent wisely.â€
Who in Austin is Concerned About Taxpayers? Who Won’t Mention Them?
A central pur
pose of Texans for Fiscal Responsibility is to give taxpayers a voice in Austin in the face of the powerful forces that lobby for more spending. Is there a way to determine whether fiscally conservative organizations or groups that advocate more government have greater concern for taxpayers?
˜Local Control’ Poor Excuse For High Taxes
Local bureaucrats and their Austin apologists have found the ‘local control’ religion, but only as a...
You Can Vote Today to Return the Surplus
In a matter of mo
nths, your legislator will hopefully, after hearing from you, vote to return the surplus to taxpayers. However, you can vote today in an online poll sponsored by the Houston Business Journal which asks respondents how the Texas surplus should be allocated.